Rev. Tara Faith Williams, M.Div.
Senior Pastor
Dedicated to fostering growth, transformation, and purpose in the lives of others, Pastor Tara Faith Williams is a dynamic leader, visionary minister, and committed servant of God. With a career spanning over a decade, her body of work includes multiple church leadership roles, a successful business career, and significant contributions to community advocacy.
While Tara is first and foremost a devoted wife, mother, and proud Grand-T, her true calling is unmistakable when she stands with a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart. Her ministry has impacted hundreds, if not thousands, through its passionate, visionary, and purpose-driven approach. Known for her fiery, transparent, and truth-centered preaching, she embodies the words of her favorite scripture, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Affectionately called Pastor Tara, she delivers a consistent message of love, forgiveness, and hope with conviction and straight talk. It is her joy to serve believers across denominations and cultures, helping them embrace biblical truths and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
A Leader, Advocate and Servant - Pastor Tara is recognized as a practical and effective leader who leads by example. Embodying the heart of a servant-leader, she has been instrumental in mobilizing efforts for social justice throughout Nashville, Tennessee. Her unwavering commitment to justice is reflected in her active membership in the Nashville Branch of the NAACP and her leadership role in the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), where she serves as President-Elect.
Her administrative and organizational leadership extends across both the sacred and secular spaces. As a Human Resource Employee Engagement Coordinator at Vanderbilt University’s Facilities Business Operations Center, she integrates spiritual wisdom with workplace leadership, helping others see the bigger picture while prioritizing the details that matter most. These gifts were critical in guiding New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) through a pivotal season of reimagining and renewal following a pastoral transition and a global pandemic.
In June 2017, Pastor Tara made history as the first African American pastor of Bellevue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tennessee, where she faithfully led until August 2018. She then returned to New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) as Executive Pastor, stepping into a pivotal leadership role. On February 21, 2021, she was called to serve as Interim Senior Pastor, and after nineteen months of dedicated leadership, she was officially called as New Covenant’s 14th Senior Pastor on September 1, 2022, with her installation service held on March 12, 2023.
Pastor Tara is deeply committed to lifelong learning and academic excellence. She holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary. In conjunction with her studies at Vanderbilt, she earned the Kelly Miller Smith Institute’s Certificate in Black Church Studies, a program designed to deepen theological, historical, and liberating praxis within the Black Church tradition.
For 33 years, Pastor Tara has been married to her covering, best friend, and partner in ministry and life, Anthony “Chan” Williams, Sr. Their blessed union has produced five beautiful children: Anthony Jr., Aleigha, Amir, and Audreona, along with their beloved son, Alijah, who was called home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2018. Alijah gifted them their first grandson, Santana Cai. In 2024, they welcomed granddaughters Raya Lennox and Aubrianna Caisee, and in 2025, twin girls, A’Nyla Cherish and A’Mara Charm arrived.
Pastor Tara’s life and ministry are guided by Proverbs 11:25: “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” Not only does she believe these words—she lives them!
Through faith, leadership, and an unshakable commitment to justice, Pastor Tara continues to inspire, empower, and uplift individuals and communities, ensuring that all who encounter her ministry experience the love, grace, and transformative power of God.
While Tara is first and foremost a devoted wife, mother, and proud Grand-T, her true calling is unmistakable when she stands with a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart. Her ministry has impacted hundreds, if not thousands, through its passionate, visionary, and purpose-driven approach. Known for her fiery, transparent, and truth-centered preaching, she embodies the words of her favorite scripture, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Affectionately called Pastor Tara, she delivers a consistent message of love, forgiveness, and hope with conviction and straight talk. It is her joy to serve believers across denominations and cultures, helping them embrace biblical truths and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
A Leader, Advocate and Servant - Pastor Tara is recognized as a practical and effective leader who leads by example. Embodying the heart of a servant-leader, she has been instrumental in mobilizing efforts for social justice throughout Nashville, Tennessee. Her unwavering commitment to justice is reflected in her active membership in the Nashville Branch of the NAACP and her leadership role in the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), where she serves as President-Elect.
Her administrative and organizational leadership extends across both the sacred and secular spaces. As a Human Resource Employee Engagement Coordinator at Vanderbilt University’s Facilities Business Operations Center, she integrates spiritual wisdom with workplace leadership, helping others see the bigger picture while prioritizing the details that matter most. These gifts were critical in guiding New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) through a pivotal season of reimagining and renewal following a pastoral transition and a global pandemic.
In June 2017, Pastor Tara made history as the first African American pastor of Bellevue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tennessee, where she faithfully led until August 2018. She then returned to New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) as Executive Pastor, stepping into a pivotal leadership role. On February 21, 2021, she was called to serve as Interim Senior Pastor, and after nineteen months of dedicated leadership, she was officially called as New Covenant’s 14th Senior Pastor on September 1, 2022, with her installation service held on March 12, 2023.
Pastor Tara is deeply committed to lifelong learning and academic excellence. She holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary. In conjunction with her studies at Vanderbilt, she earned the Kelly Miller Smith Institute’s Certificate in Black Church Studies, a program designed to deepen theological, historical, and liberating praxis within the Black Church tradition.
For 33 years, Pastor Tara has been married to her covering, best friend, and partner in ministry and life, Anthony “Chan” Williams, Sr. Their blessed union has produced five beautiful children: Anthony Jr., Aleigha, Amir, and Audreona, along with their beloved son, Alijah, who was called home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2018. Alijah gifted them their first grandson, Santana Cai. In 2024, they welcomed granddaughters Raya Lennox and Aubrianna Caisee, and in 2025, twin girls, A’Nyla Cherish and A’Mara Charm arrived.
Pastor Tara’s life and ministry are guided by Proverbs 11:25: “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” Not only does she believe these words—she lives them!
Through faith, leadership, and an unshakable commitment to justice, Pastor Tara continues to inspire, empower, and uplift individuals and communities, ensuring that all who encounter her ministry experience the love, grace, and transformative power of God.
